Can I migrate from cPanel?
Yes — this is the primary supported migration path. Use the cPanel Importer built into the Panel. Upload a cPanel pkgacct backup file (.tar.gz), and the importer will recreate the account, transfer files, restore databases, and import email accounts automatically.
For step-by-step instructions, see the cPanel Migration guide.
Can I migrate from Plesk?
Not directly. Plesk backup files use a proprietary format that the Opterius importer does not support. Migrate manually:
- Create the account in Opterius.
- Transfer website files via
rsyncor SFTP. - Export databases from Plesk with
mysqldumpand import into MariaDB on the new server. - Recreate email accounts manually.
- Update DNS to point to the new server.
Can I migrate from DirectAdmin?
Same situation as Plesk — manual migration. The process is the same: create the account, transfer files, migrate databases, recreate email, update DNS. DirectAdmin's backup format is closer to cPanel's than Plesk's, but the Opterius importer does not currently parse it.
How long does migration take?
Timing depends almost entirely on account size and network speed between the servers.
| Account size | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Under 1 GB | 1–5 minutes |
| 1–10 GB | 5–20 minutes |
| 10 GB or more | 20–60+ minutes |
Database-heavy accounts (large MySQL dumps) can take longer than file-heavy accounts because of the import step. Accounts with many small files can also be slower than a single large archive.
Can I migrate multiple accounts at once?
Yes. Each migration is submitted as a separate queue job, and jobs run in parallel. Start all your migrations, then monitor progress from Server Mode → Queue. The number of parallel migrations is limited by queue worker concurrency — by default, 3 migrations can run simultaneously.
Can I test the migrated site before changing DNS?
Yes. After the migration completes, use your local hosts file to point the domain to the new server's IP address. You can browse the site exactly as it will appear for real visitors without affecting live DNS.
On Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
On Linux/macOS: /etc/hosts
Add a line:
NEW_SERVER_IP yourdomain.example.com
Browse normally in any browser on that machine. Remove the entry when you are satisfied and ready to update DNS.
Will my SEO rankings be affected?
Only if there is downtime or a DNS propagation gap during cutover. Google and other search engines do not penalize for moving to a new server — only for downtime or URL structure changes.
To minimise risk:
- Lower TTL on DNS records 24–48 hours before migration (reduces propagation time after cutover to minutes instead of hours).
- Use the hosts file testing method (above) to verify the migrated site before changing live DNS.
- Keep the old server running for 24–48 hours after the DNS change in case any traffic still hits it during propagation.
Do email accounts migrate?
When using the cPanel importer, email accounts (including stored messages in Maildir format) are migrated. For manual migrations, you will need to:
- Recreate email accounts in the Opterius Panel.
- Copy mail spool directories:
/var/mail/vdomains/{domain}/on the old server to the same path on the new server. - Restart Dovecot on the new server.